Last Wednesday, right after the weekly Cabinet meeting, 9 non-Muslim ministers (Not 10 as reported as Tourism Minister Leo Michael Toyad is away to Philipines) submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, calling for a review of laws affecting the rights of non-Muslims.

Pak Lah said it’s not ordinary. He preferred the issue to be brought up in the Cabinet meeting rather than submitting their views in the form of a memorandum, but still, he is willing to raise this issue in the next meeting.

Let’s take a look at reaction of 9 non-Muslim ministers’ colleagues :

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak
[The Star] "improper" and "not nice"

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Abdul Aziz
[The Star] "It is a dangerous precedent. In principle, the Cabinet had already discussed and agreed on a review of all laws pertaining to a conversion of a non-Muslim to Islam. Their action seems to suggest a rift between non-Muslim and Muslim ministers."

[NST] "I am angry that the nine ministers did that, because they cannot threaten the PM like that, and I will not stand for it. We are colleagues in the Cabinet. Why the need to send a memo when we have decided to look at all the laws?"

Umno Youth exco member Pirdaus Ismail
[The Star] "They acted as if they were not part of the Cabinet line-up appointed by the Prime Minister."

[NST] "Their actions reflect disregard and disrespect for the PM and their Cabinet colleagues. In so doing, they have tarnished their image as ministers. It is as if they are questioning the sanctity of Islam in the Federal Constitution. We feel their actions have touched on the sensitivity of the Muslims in the country."

International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz
[The Star] "We, the Muslims, are also concerned over the process which determines who is a Muslim and who is not. If a person is a Muslim convert and he is wrongly buried, we are concerned. Similarly, if a Muslim professes to have left the faith (apostate) but is buried as a Muslim, this is also of concern to us."

[Bernama] "I think my colleagues in the Barisan Nasional presented constructive views, which can be a guide to the people who will review the laws. The memorandum is their input on what should be done."

While Ministers are busy "advising" each other, I spend time helping Pak Lah to monitor the Racial Tension Index from the sidelines.

Related Link:
- Screenshots | ‘Ministers are not NGO leaders’

Permalink | Leave a comment | Trackback
Subscribe to Email Feed | Subscribe to RSS Feed